Building fascia

ABSTRACT

A combined cant strip and fascia support structure is provided for attachment to the edge of the roof and a roof flashing is gripped between the cant strip and fascia support when the structure is assembled. The roof flashing is adapted to extend from the structure over a portion of the roof adjacent the roof edge and a fascia is clipped over the structure and screwed in place to prevent damage to the waterproof covering and to improve the appearance of the structure.

mted States Patent 1191 1 1 3 Thaler 1 .May 29, 1973 [5 1 BUILDING FASCIA 3,585,766 6/1971 .lamieson ..52/94 [76] Inventor: Thaler, Mormngdew Road, Westh1ll, On-

tario Canada 256,397 8/1967 Austria 1,385,143 11/1964 France ..52/96 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] A N 96,935 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-H. E. Raduazo Att R ,B k & P 521 U.S. c1 ..52/94, 52/96 may ogers ms m [51] in. CL [58] Field of Search ..52/94-96, 58, '60 1 A combined cant strip and fascia support structure is [56 R f nce Ci provided for attachment to the edge of the roof and a roof flashing is gripped between the cant strip and UNITED STATES PATENTS fascia support when the structure is assembled. The 3 381 425 5/1968 c6661 ..52 60 flashing is adapted extend the Structure 3:680:269 8/1972 Fischer.. ..52/60 Over a Portion of the roof adjacent the IOQf edge and a 3,365,847 1/1968 Josek ..52/58 fas ia is lipped over the structure and screwed in 2,857,861 /1958 Trestle ..52/94 place to prevent damage to the waterproof covering 3,389,515 6/1968 Hellebrandm and to improve the appearance of the structure. 3,533,201 10/1970 Tyler ..52/60 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 57 7O 32 so 18 9 4 Q l V D 7 I 38 PATENTEL 3,735,540

SHEET 1 BF 4 I INVENIUR. KUNIBERT THALER AT W29 ms 3, 5,5

SHEET 3 0F 4 FIG. 4

INVBN'TOR. KUN l BERT THALER PATENTEU 2 I973 SHEET 0F 4 QON l NVEN'I'OR.

KUNI BERT THALER BUILDING FASCIA This invention relates to a prefabricated fascia for use on buildings having flat roofs. v

Fascias are used to protect the edge of a roof where waterproof roofing material meets the edge of the roof. Commonly, a cant strip is provided along the edge of the roof and the waterproof roofing material extends over the cant strip. A fascia is added to prevent separation of the roofing material from the cant strip with subsequent seepage of water under the roofing material.

In the past, fascias have been used consisting of wooden boards placed around the edge of a roof and nailed to a cant strip. A metal flashing is then wrapped over the boards and nailed to the boards. This arrangement has the disadvantage that if it becomes necessary to remove the fascia for tracing water leaks and the like, considerable labour is required to remove the fascia. Also severe damage usually results to the fascia because the nails holding the metal flashing must be removed. New materials are therefore required for replacing the fascia resulting in relatively high material and labour costs. In addition, buildings such as single storey factories have relatively low fascias which may be damaged by a truck or the like colliding with the fascia. Considerable effort is then required to remove the fascia and to re-build it.

Prefabricated fascias have also been used in which a metal support is attached to a cant strip and a fascia is then coupled to the support with an edge of a roof flashing or waterproof roof covering gripped between the fascia and the support to prevent seepage of water under the covering. This arrangement is a considerable advance over prior fascia arrangements. However, in cases where skilled labour is not available, there is a likelihood that a waterproof roof covering will be placed improperly against the metal support. As a result the fascia is not located positively on the support so that the edge of the roof flashing is relatively loose thereby permitting water seepage under the flashing.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, a combined cant strip and fascia support structure is provided for attachment to the edge of the roof and a roof flashing is gripped between the cantstrip and fascia support when the structure is assembled. The roof flashing is adapted to extend from the structure over a portion of the roof adjacent the roof edge and a fascia is clipped over the structure and screwed in place to prevent damage to the waterproof covering and to improve the appearance of the structure.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a section of fascia according to the invention:

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fascia joint illustrated in use on parts of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fascia support;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 1 showing alternative embodiments of the invention.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 3 and in particular to FIG. 1 which shows a fascia mounted on a building wall which has on its top a vapour barrier 11 and a layer of roof insulation 12. Located at the edge of the roof is a sheet metal support structure 14 mounted on the top of the wall 10 and having conventional layers of roofing felt 16 laid on a cant section 18 of the sup port structure 14. A sheet of flexible flashing 20 covers the roofing felt l6 and a conventional mixture of stones and gravel 22 protects the central part of the roof and seals the inner edge (not shown) of the flashing 20. A sheet metal front member 23 is coupled at its bottom to the structure 14 and held in place by screws 25.

The support structure 14 includes a channel-shaped member 24 having a vertical main section 26, top and bottom outwardly extending flanges 28, 30, a flange 32 extending downwardly from the outer edge of top flange 28 and a flange 34 extending upwardly from the outer edge of bottom flange 30. The cant section 18 includes an inclined portion 36 terminating at its lower end in a generally upright portion 38 having a height substantially equal to the thickness of the roof insulation 12. The lower end of the upright portion 38 terminates in an inwardly extending flange 40 which is integrally connected at its inner end to a horizontal portion 42. The portion 42 extends outwardly terminating in a downwardly turned flange 44 which is spot welded at 46 to the inner surface of the vertical main section 26 of the member 24. The upper end of the inclined portion 36 terminates in a second upright portion 48 which is spot welded at 50 to the main section 26. The spot welds 50 and 46 locate the cant section 18 on the vertical main section 26 to define a cant for supporting outward ends of the layers of roofing felt 16. The upper end of the second upright portion 48 terminates in an outwardly extending portion 52 terminating in a downwardly extending lip 54 which together with the flange 32 defines a recess for receiving an outer end portion 55 of the flashing 20.

In assembly of the support structure 14, the cant section 18 is first spot welded at 46 to the vertical main section 26 of the member 24. The outer end portion 55 of the flashing 20 is then positioned between the outwardly extending top flange 28 and the portion 52 to nip the flashing while the spot welding 50 is made. If preferred a further or alternative spot weld can be made at 51. The flashing is then gripped between the flange 28 and portion 52. Next, if preferred, parts of the flashing 20 can be glued to the upper surface of the portion 52 and to the second upright portion 48 to a point about half way down the vertical extent of the portion 48. This will ensure that when the support structure is assembled on a roof and the layers of roofing felt 16 are positioned on the cant member 18, that the layers of felt are terminated sufficiently far down the upright portion 48 to permit the fascia front member to be attached without excessive force. If the flashing 20 were not adhered, there is a possibility that during assembly the layer 16 can be carried upwardly over the upright portion 48 and onto the portion 52. As a result, the front member 23 could not then be dropped over the flashing 20 and into the position shown in FIG. 1.

An optional strip of insulation material 57 may be frictionally engaged inside the support structure 14 in engagement with the horizontal portion 42, upright portion 38 and main section 26 to limit heat loss from the building.

The support structure 14 is mounted on the building roof by locating the horizontal portion 42 on the top surface of the roof with the vertical main section 26 spaced from front wall surface 56 by a gasket of rubber,

urethene foam or the like. This gasket prevents capillary movement of water upwardly along the front surface 56 of the wall 10. Inserts 58 in the wall receive screws 60 which attach the support section 14 to the wall 10. If preferred, continuous strips of wood can be placed on the wall in place of inserts 58 for receiving screws 60.

Once a first support structure 14 has been attachedto the wall 10, further sections are attached and each section has an overlap of flashing for adhering to an adjacent flashing to prevent water seepage between the flashings. This overlap is indicated at 62 in FIG. 3. Once the roof has been fitted completely with support structures 14, the roof insulation 12 is added followed by layers of roofing felt 16. The felt 16 is trimmed to terminate below the glued portion of the flahsing 20 is then positioned and sealed to the roofing felt 16 before the stones and gravel 22 are laid over the flashing 20.

Next, from members 23 are attached. Each member consists of a generally planar vertical main portion 64 and a generally horizontal and inwardly extending top 66 terminating in a retaining flange 68 having a bead 70 at its lower end to prevent damage to the flashing 20 when the front member 23 is placed in position. The lower end of the vertical main portion 64 is integrally attached to an outwardly and downwardly extending lip 72 for guiding surface water which runs down the vertical main portion 64 away from the wall 10. The lip 72 is formed with a second thickness of sheet metal which continues upwardly inside the vertical main portion 64 and terminating in a downwardly extending retaining lip 74. The flange 34 engages under lip 74 to prevent separation of the front member 23 from the support structure 14.

A gasket of rubber, or urethene foam and the like 76 is either simply positioned over the flashing 20 for engaging the underside of top 66 or, if preferred, it may be adhered to the underside of top 66. The gasket 76 prevents water seepage and capillary action.

The front member 23 is positioned over the support structure 14 by first engaging the retaining lip 74 loosely against the flange 34 and with the top 66 above the portion 52 of the cant section 18. Next the front member is slid downwardly until the retaining lip 74 engages over the flange 34 and the top 66 engages above the flashing 20 where it rests on the portion 52. Self tapping screws are then engaged to hold the outer member on the support 14.

As seen in FIG. 2, the main portion 64 of front member 23 terminates at one end in a lip 78 defining a channel 79 and a similar lip 80 on the opposite end of an adjacent member 23' defines a channel 81. The channels 79, 81 are adapted to receive a locking strip 82 to hold the adjacent ends of the members in tight engagement. The top 66' extends beyond the main portion 64' so that it can overlap the top 66 of member 23 to limit ingress of water into the fascia.

The front member 23 is of light relatively cheap metal such as aluminum having a thickness of about one-sixteenth of an inch. Typically, the front member 23 is installed after the support structure 14 has been attached to the wall 10 by a workman standing on the roof of the building. The workman grasps the front member 23 by the retaining flange 68, leans outwardly and downwardly with it and positions the member 23 as previously described before allowing the member to fall downwardly and into the position shown in FIG. 1.

The screws 25 are then inserted. Because the metal of the fascia is quite flexible, it is a relatively simple task to attach the front member 23.

Reference is next made to FIG. 4 in which parts similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are given a suffix a. Front member 23a is similar to member 23 and the support structure 14a differs from support structure 14 in that the main section 26a consists of upper, intermediate and lower parts 84, 86 and 88 respectively. Intermediate part 86 links the parts 84, 88 and extends horizontally and outwardly from part 84. Also, the lower outwardly extending flange 30a is relatively short and as a result the combination of proportions of flange 30a and the shape of the main section 26a results in bringing the front member 230 nearer to the wall 10d. This arrangement may be more desirable in places where the fascia overhang is to be limited and also where such a fascia blends more effectively with the design of the building.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 4. Parts similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are given the sufiix b and in this case, the upright section 26b consists of upper, intermediate, and lower parts 90, 92 and 94 respectively, the intermediate part being relatively long when compared with the part 86 (FIG. 4) so that the front member 23b must also be modified to include upper, intermediate and lower parts 96, 98, and respectively. The intermediate part 98 is inclined downwardly and outwardly from a lower end of the upper part 96 and meets the upper end of lower part 100. The resulting fascia presents a somewhat different appearance to that of the other fascias but is assembled in the same manner. In this case however, wall 10b supports a metal roof 96 which is drilled to receive self-tapping screw 60b and insert 58b are the top of wall 10b.

Each of the fascias shown is readily disassembled. For example, the fascia shown in FIG. 1 is disassembled by removing the screws 25 and lifting the front member 23 away from the remainder of the fascia. Should a leak develop, it is usually necessary to remove some of the layers of roofing felt 16. In this case it may be preferable to also remove the support structure 14 together with the flashing 20 and replace this part to ensure that the flashing is adequately waterproofed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising:

a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion, an outwardly-extending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; and an outwardly-extending top flange coupled to said outwardly-extending portion, said top flange being adjacent to and underlying said outwardly-extending portion;

b. a flexible flashing having an outer end between said outwardly-extending portion and said top flange and having a first part draped over said outwardly-extending portion;

0. means biassing said outwardly-extending portion and said flange towards one another whereby said outer end of the flashing is positively gripped between said outwardly-extending portion of said flange; and

d. a from member having a top covering said first part of said flexible flashing.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible flashing further comprises a second part extending downwardly from said first part and afiixed to an upper part of said upright portion.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardlyextending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing comprising a further part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downwardly-extending flange, and terminating at its upper end in said outer end of said flexible flashing.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the front member further comprises a main portion extending downwardly firom an outer end of said top such that when the front member is in place on the support structure, said main portion protects said further part of the flexible flashing.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and screw means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardlyextending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means.

6. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising:

a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion; an outwardly-extending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; an inclined portion extending donwardly and inwardly from the lower end of said uprightportion; an upright main section, the main section being fixedly attached to said upright portion in face-to-face engagement therewith and coupled to the lower end of said inclined portion to de fine a cant section for supporting end portions of layers of roofing felt and the like; a top flange extending outwardly from an upper end of the main section, the top flange being under and adjacent to said outwardly-extending portion;

b. a flexible flashing including a first part extending over the outwardly-extending portion and having an outer end nipped between said outwardly extending portion and said top flange, the flexible flashing having sufficient length to extend over the inclined portion and over an adjacent portion of said roofing felt and the like; and

c. a front member adapted to be coupled to the support structure and including a top to cover said first part of the flashing.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardlyextending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing further comprising a part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downwardly-extending flange, and terminating at its upper end in said outer end of said flexible flashing.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the from member further comprises a main portion extending downwardly from an outer end of said top such that when the front member is in place on the support structure, said main portion protects said further part of the flexible flashing.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and further cornprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and fastener means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardly-extending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means.

It). Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the front member further comprises a lip attached to a lower end of the main portion for directing surface rain water away from the building, and a downwardlyextending retaining lip spaced inwardly from the main portion; and in which the support structure further comprises a bottom flange extending outwardly from a lower end of the main section and an upwardlyextending flange dependent from the bottom flange and adapted to engage between said retaining lip and said main portion to locate the front member on the support structure.

11. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising:

a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion; an outwardly-extending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; an inclined portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of said upright portion; an upright main section, the main section being fixedly attached to said upright portion in face-to-face engagement therewith and coupled to the lower end of said inclined portion to define a cant section for supporting end portions of layers of roofing felt and the like;

b. a flexible flashing including a first part extending over the outwardly-extending portion and adhered thereto, the flexible flashing having sufficient length to extend over the inclined portion and over an adjacent portion of said roofing felt and the like; and

c. a from member adapted to be coupled to the support structure and including a top to cover said first part of the flashing.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the flexible flashing is adhesively secured to the outwardlyextending portion.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim it in which said support structure further comprises a top flange extending outwardly from an upper end of the main section, the top flange being under and adjacent to said outwardly-extending portion, and in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardlyextending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing comprising a further part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downward- 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and further comprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and screw means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardly-extending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means. 

1. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising: a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion, an outwardlyextending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; and an outwardly-extending top flange coupled to said outwardly-extending portion, said top flange being adjacent to and underlying said outwardly-extending portion; b. a flexible flashing having an outer end between said outwardly-extending portion and said top flange and having a first part draped over said outwardly-extending portion; c. means biassing said outwardly-extending portion and said flange towards one another whereby said outer end of the flashing is positively gripped between said outwardly-extending portion of said flange; and d. a front member having a top covering said first part of said flexible flashing.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible flashing further comprises a second part extending downwardly from said first part and affixed to an upper part of said upright portion.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardly-extending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing comprising a further part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downwardly-extending flange, and terminating at its upper end in said outer end of said flexible flashing.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the front member further comprises a main portion extending downwardly from an outer end of said top such that when the front member is in place on the support structure, said main portioN protects said further part of the flexible flashing.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and screw means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardly-extending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means.
 6. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising: a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion; an outwardly-extending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; an inclined portion extending donwardly and inwardly from the lower end of said upright portion; an upright main section, the main section being fixedly attached to said upright portion in face-to-face engagement therewith and coupled to the lower end of said inclined portion to define a cant section for supporting end portions of layers of roofing felt and the like; a top flange extending outwardly from an upper end of the main section, the top flange being under and adjacent to said outwardly-extending portion; b. a flexible flashing including a first part extending over the outwardly-extending portion and having an outer end nipped between said outwardly extending portion and said top flange, the flexible flashing having sufficient length to extend over the inclined portion and over an adjacent portion of said roofing felt and the like; and c. a front member adapted to be coupled to the support structure and including a top to cover said first part of the flashing.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardly-extending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing further comprising a part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downwardly-extending flange, and terminating at its upper end in said outer end of said flexible flashing.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the front member further comprises a main portion extending downwardly from an outer end of said top such that when the front member is in place on the support structure, said main portion protects said further part of the flexible flashing.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and further comprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and fastener means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardly-extending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the front member further comprises a lip attached to a lower end of the main portion for directing surface rain water away from the building, and a downwardly-extending retaining lip spaced inwardly from the main portion; and in which the support structure further comprises a bottom flange extending outwardly from a lower end of the main section and an upwardly-extending flange dependent from the bottom flange and adapted to engage between said retaining lip and said main portion to locate the front member on the support structure.
 11. Apparatus for covering the edge of a flat roof of a building, said apparatus comprising: a. a support structure adapted to be attached to the building adjacent said edge and extending upwardly above said roof, the support structure comprising: an upright portion; an outwardly-extending portion dependent from an upper end of said upright portion; an inclined portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of said upright portion; an upright main section, the main section being fixedLy attached to said upright portion in face-to-face engagement therewith and coupled to the lower end of said inclined portion to define a cant section for supporting end portions of layers of roofing felt and the like; b. a flexible flashing including a first part extending over the outwardly-extending portion and adhered thereto, the flexible flashing having sufficient length to extend over the inclined portion and over an adjacent portion of said roofing felt and the like; and c. a front member adapted to be coupled to the support structure and including a top to cover said first part of the flashing.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the flexible flashing is adhesively secured to the outwardly-extending portion.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said support structure further comprises a top flange extending outwardly from an upper end of the main section, the top flange being under and adjacent to said outwardly-extending portion, and in which said outwardly-extending portion terminates in a downwardly-extending lip and said top flange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange spaced-apart inwardly from said lip, the flexible flashing comprising a further part extending continuously from said first part, said further part extending downwardly over an outer surface of said lip, upwardly between the lip and said downwardly-extending flange, and terminating at its upper end in said outer end of said flexible flashing.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the front member further comprises a main portion extending downwardly from an outer end of said top such that when the front member is in place on the support structure, said main portion protects said further part of the flexible flashing.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and further comprising: gasket means adapted to be positioned between said first part of said flexible flashing and the underside of said top to limit water seepage; and screw means for drawing said top downwardly towards said outwardly-extending portion of said support structure to thereby compress said gasket means. 